Migrant Mega-Dinghy with 140 Passengers Makes Historic Journey from Normandy to the UK After Record Channel Crossing

A MIGRANT boat carrying 140 people to the UK was launched from the furthest ever point in the Channel yesterday.

It comes just days after Prime Minister Andy Burnham hailed a crackdown on crossings.

The mega-dinghy was launched from the Jobourg region in Normandy, 180 miles west of Calais.

Despite launching six boats and two helicopters to monitor the boat, French cops allowed it to carry on, noting in a press release on Sunday morning: “The vessel is currently continuing its journey towards the United Kingdom.”

They said that despite the departure location being “unusual for the area”, they were still available to provide “rapid and robust assistance”.

The boat was then met by two RNLI lifeboats with the migrants taken ashore at Portsmouth before being transferred to the processing centre at Manston.

It comes after the PM met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron with the small boats issue a focal point of talks.

A new surge team of 45 officers has been deployed – but drew criticism as it emerged, they would have to seek permission in order to enter the water.